CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 AND ANGIOGENESIS IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Abstract

Cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) overexpression is linked to carcinogenesis and maintenance of progressive tumor growth. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in progression and invasive capacity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) is the principal factor involved in angiogenesis. A significant role of both proteins has been described in several human neoplasms, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Objective: To determine and analyze the immunohistochemical expression of cox-2 and vegf proteins in OSCC according to histologic differentiation (well differentiated [WD], moderately differentiated [MD], and poorly differentiated [PD]) and oral mucosa. Study Design: Standard immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase analysis was carried out with highly specific antibody against human cox-2 and vegf, in 41 samples of OSCC (15 WD, 14 MD, 12 PD) and 7 samples of oral mucosa. Statistical tests Shapiro-Wilk, Student t test, and Mann-Whitney U were performed. Values of P > .05 were considered not significant. Results: In cox-2, statistically significant difference between was observed. In vegf, statistically significant difference between WD vs PD and MD vs PD was observed. Conclusions: Cox-2 protein expression in regulating vegf production can be used as biomarkers in the progression of OSCC. New therapeutic strategies based on cox-2 inhibition may be realistically considered for the treatment of OSCC. Cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) overexpression is linked to carcinogenesis and maintenance of progressive tumor growth. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in progression and invasive capacity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) is the principal factor involved in angiogenesis. A significant role of both proteins has been described in several human neoplasms, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Objective: To determine and analyze the immunohistochemical expression of cox-2 and vegf proteins in OSCC according to histologic differentiation (well differentiated [WD], moderately differentiated [MD], and poorly differentiated [PD]) and oral mucosa. Study Design: Standard immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase analysis was carried out with highly specific antibody against human cox-2 and vegf, in 41 samples of OSCC (15 WD, 14 MD, 12 PD) and 7 samples of oral mucosa. Statistical tests Shapiro-Wilk, Student t test, and Mann-Whitney U were performed. Values of P > .05 were considered not significant. Results: In cox-2, statistically significant difference between was observed. In vegf, statistically significant difference between WD vs PD and MD vs PD was observed. Conclusions: Cox-2 protein expression in regulating vegf production can be used as biomarkers in the progression of OSCC. New therapeutic strategies based on cox-2 inhibition may be realistically considered for the treatment of OSCC.